“Tales from the Job Search Trenches” with Michael Surkan – The “Hidden” Job Market
On Monday, I spoke with Michael Surkan on his “Tales from the Job Search Trenches” show. He has an interesting story. Michael is currently in the midst of his own job search and started this podcast series as a way to network and “give to get” – and you know I am a HUGE advocate of that!
In this episode, we talk about the “hidden” job market. What is it, where is it and (most important) how do you tap into it.
Michael Surkan is sharing his own journey through the brave new job market as he speaks with fellow aspirants and employment professionals, learning what strategies and ideas can help set candidates apart. He hasn’t found his great new job yet, but he is having lots of fun both meeting and helping people and businesses on social networks. Michael absolutely excels at understanding market and customer needs and creating strategies and priorities for tech products that lead to success.
Check out Michael’s “Tales from the job search trenches” podcasts for insights into job searches. His “Entrepreneurs Northwest” show highlights entrepreneurs, and ideas to build thriving businesses.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.kevinkermes.com
5 Reasons to Kick Your Search into High Gear in December
Every year I hear countless job seekers say the same thing, “I am going to put my job search on hold until after the Holidays.” Unfortunately, this is yet another example of conventional wisdom misfiring. Here are some of the reasons that “suspending” your search in December will do more damage than good:
- I have never seen a December in the search business that wasn’t extremely busy – good economy or bad. Many companies are trying to get positions filled before year’s end because of budgets or potentially losing the headcount. The latter is of particular concern right now, given the state of the economy and new job creation.
- During December, there are multiple opportunities to network through holiday parties. The amount of people you can reach out and touch is two to three times that of any other time of the year. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?
- Think of your job search as a sales and marketing campaign. You should be creating “buzz” about your product – you! You have worked hard building up this “buzz” – so why stop now? Again, think about all the people gathering and networking (social or otherwise) this month. Don’t you want to remain top of mind?
- People are conditioned to connecting and re-connecting over the holidays. Combine this with a more charitable sprit and your networking efforts are made much easier. As many push their workloads off until the New Year, making introductions, renewing connections and touching base is much easier. Why wait until after January 1, when everyone is battling a pile of December’s procrastination on their desk?
- For those companies who aren’t going to hire until January 2010, staying top of mind right now is even more important. Simply put, who has a better chance of landing the job – the person who has been in touch, networking and establishing rapport over December –or- the person who makes their first contact via email on January 2?
ExecuNet cited that executive level searches are taking upwards of 10 months in this market and the average job search is 2.5 – 3 weeks per 10K in annualized salary. Networking is key to shaving months off this average for yourself and a large part of my coaching programs (3 months is the average for my clients – even at the C level).So, this is no time to rest! Keep building on that momentum you have worked to build in 2009 for your job search. If one of your resolutions for 2010 is to make a career move, there is no better time to get a leg up on the competition.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.kevinkermes.com
4 R’s for Successful Job Search Networking (guest blogger – Katherine Moody)
Katherine Moody is this week’s guest blogger and our Subject Matter Expert for our Career Mastermind call on November 24th. A self-proclaimed “reluctant networker,” she will talk about her vast experience on the topic and techniques to make the process easy, natural, extremely fruitful…and, maybe, even fun? In today’s article, she shares the 4 R’s for Successful Job Search Networking:
Whether you are using social networking like linkedin, twitter, emailing people directly, calling or meeting people, these networking techniques will accelerate your networking success.
Relationship: If you remember only one thing, please make it this one. Networking success is based on relationship, regardless of the technology you use to connect with people. The relationship must come first, then your agenda. When you take the time to get to know someone and let someone get to know a little about you (other than the fact you’re looking for a job), they will be more willing and able to help you.
Real: Be who you are. Don’t think you must be going to lots of those big “job networking” meetings if they aren’t your style. Do what feels right for you. When you are authentic, people feel it, and you will be able to build a real relationship with them.
Reality: Not everyone you meet will have a job lead for you or be able to connect you with someone you want to meet. But you never know where the connection with them will lead. And don’t leave them with the comment “Well if you hear of anything, please let me know.” The reality is nearly every networker says that and the rest of the reality is that the other person probably won’t be able to remember you from that statement.
Relax: Spend a little time building the relationship in a way that works for you. Don’t think you have to tell everyone in the first 27 seconds that you’re looking for a job. That will come out in a natural way if you can relax a little and just enjoy getting to know the other person.
I know these things are easier said than done when you’re “eager” to find a new job. But if you just start practicing them even a little, you will start seeing greatly enhanced results from your networking. And you just might start enjoying it!
Best wishes for a wonderful new job—very soon!
Katherine’s SME call on November 24th is ONLY for Career Mastermind Group members. Not a member yet? Join now to access this call (as well as the archived SME calls and training materials) with Kevin’s special FREE 1 month Membership trial.
Katherine Moody is the Vice President of Recruiting Services with S. Benjamins & Company. Her prior search experience includes time with Heidrick & Struggles and Deloitte & Touche. Katherine holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and an Executive MBA from the Peter Drucker Management Center, Claremont University.
A self-proclaimed “reluctant networker,” Katherine Moody is not only an expert on the topic, but secured her last three positions by doing what she knows best: networking. She is the author of several e-books including 21 Master Networking Secrets, I Hate Small Talk, and Taming the Wild Hiring Manager. Katherine’s passion is simple: showing other job seekers how to use the techniques she has perfected to help uncover the “hidden” job market and get back to work sooner.
2009© Kevin Kermes Inc.
SME Mastermind Call: Katherine Moody – “Avoiding Deadly Networking Mistakes in Your Job Search”
Our next Subject Matter Expert (SME) Mastermind Call is on Tuesday, November 24th at 12:00pmEST:
“Avoiding Deadly Networking Mistakes in Your Job Search”
You’ve heard it before – 80%+ of jobs are found through the “hidden” job market. But, it is still a challenge to know how to open that door. Our next Subject Matter Expert (SME) Katherine Moody is going to discuss just that. A self-described “reluctant networker,” she will not only draw upon her 14+ years in the search business but her personal experience – having found her last 3 jobs through networking.
On this webinar she will cover:
- The two essentials to take to every networking event – and one isn’t your resume
- The one question you must always ask that makes people want to help you
- How sending your resume to strangers can actually hurt you – and what to do instead
- A simple change in how you ask for referrals that can dramatically increase your success rate
- The one statement that almost guarantees you won’t be forgotten
And she will do all this while sharing clear and simple guidelines to help you develop a networking strategy that will not only accelerate your job search, but also fits your style and authenticity.
Katherine will also share her handouts:
- How to Build a Relationship in 5 Minutes
- How to Re-establish a Connection
This call is ONLY for Career Mastermind Group members. Not a member yet?
Join now to access this call (as well as the archived calls and training materials) with Kevin’s special F.R.E.E. 1 month Membership trial.
By joining you also get access to past SME Calls (Ilona Vanderwoude on Resumes, Chuck Csizmar on Compensation Negotiation, Wendy Weiss on Cold Calling Hiring Managers and numerous Q&A calls with Kevin) plus everything else the program has to offer. Learn more about the Mastermind Program and take advantage of a one month F.R.E.E. trial.
“Your Job Will Come” with Aaron Crowe – Job Boards
On this episode of Aaron Crowe’s ”Your Job Will Come,” we talk about the job boards. We tackle why they don’t work, how you can work around them, the role they can play in your job search and much more.
In addition to hosting this talk radio show focused on helping others in the midst of their job search, Aaron is a Section Editor at AOL’s Walletpop.com.
* * * * * * * * *
Kevin is the Founder of Build the Career You Deserve, a company devoted to empowering professionals with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job they want and build the successful career they deserve. Sign up for his free e-zine – Build the Career You Deserve – for insider tips on how to do just that!
2008 – 2009 (c) Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved
How I Got the Job – Ed Warner: The “Hidden” Job Market
In this episode of “How I Got the Job,” Ed Warner talks about his recent job search. He shares how he tapped into the “hidden” job market, the importance of networking and how social media factored in as well. Listen in and share your thoughts below.
Interested in implementing these techniques to make your job search more efficient? Check out Kevin’s Job Search 2.o Bootcamp Homestudy System – designed specifically more the mid to senior level executive designed to drive opportunities to you, establish you as a Subject Matter Expert and cut significant time off your search – all without using job boards or recruiters. Click here to learn more.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.kevinkermes.com
2009 © Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved
Top 10 Tips for Terminating Telephone Terror (guest blogger – Wendy Weiss)
This week’s guest blogger is Wendy Weiss - “The Queen of Cold Calling™.” She is the expert on making cold calls and will be our Subject Matter Expert on next week’s Career Mastermind call. Wendy will cover why you must cold call, how to overcome the fear of doing it, how to prepare and what to say. Today, she shares the Top 10 Tips for Terminating Telephone Terror:
1. Make telephone calls.
Few things are more terrifying than the unknown. The fear you create for yourself is far worse than the reality of cold calling. Once you start making telephone calls and continue making telephone calls it gets easier. You overcome fear by doing.
2. Make a lot of telephone calls.
If you have only one prospect to pursue, that prospect becomes overwhelmingly important. If you have hundreds of leads, no one prospect can make or break you. The more calls you make, the more success you will have.
3. Prepare.
Prepare for cold calling the way you would for any major presentation. Know what you want to say, how you want to say it and how you want to represent yourself, your company, your product or service. And know the goal of your telephone call.
4. Practice.
If you are new to cold calling or uncomfortable with cold calling practice your pitch out loud. Role-play with friends or colleagues. Practice various sales scenarios. This way you will not have to worry about what you are going to say, you will be prepared and you can focus in on your prospect.
5. Start with less important leads.
It will be good practice and less stressful. Once you feel more comfortable, start working on the more important leads.
6. Stay calm.
You will for the most part be talking to people who will appreciate your call. If a prospect is rude, remember: This is not personal. They may just be having a bad day. Move on.
7. Realize your priorities and your prospect’s priorities are different.
You want an immediate “yes,” your prospect may want to finish a report, finish a conversation, start their vacation.… Be very careful not to read negative or extra meaning into early conversations with your prospect or prospect’s secretary. If, for example, your prospect’s secretary says that your prospect is “on the phone,” “in a meeting,” or “out of the office,” that does not translate to “My prospect knows that I am calling and is avoiding me.”
8. Accept some things are out of your control.
If a prospect does say “no” ultimately that is out of your control—but what is within your control is continuing to prospect and continuing to make calls. It is also within your control to improve your cold calling skills, take seminars, read books or hire a coach-then fewer prospects will say “no.”
9. Play Arlene’s game.
The object of Arlene’s game is to focus on rejection. The goal is to reach 100 points. You get 1 point for every rejection. Give yourself 1 point for every “no” answer. If your prospect says “yes,” that’s a bonus! Focus on acquiring points. The more calls you make, the more points you acquire. When you reach 100—You Win! Give yourself a prize!
10. Have fun!
This is not life or death—it’s only a cold call. The fate of the world does not rest on you and your telephone. You will not destroy your company or ruin your life if a prospect says “no.” Loosen up, be creative, have some fun!
Wendy’s SME call on November 19th is ONLY for Career Mastermind Group members. Not a member yet? Join now to access this call (as well as the archived calls and training materials) with Kevin’s special FREE 1 month Membership trial.
Wendy Weiss – “The Queen of Cold Calling ™” – has been training some of the largest sales organizations (Avon, ADP and Sprint to name a few) on how to create more effective cold calls and generate more results. This accomplished author, speaker, trainer and coach is taking those techniques and aiming them at the job search – just for my Mastermind members. Her goal: to show you how to get in the door, differentiate and get the interview. Wendy has been featured in The New York Times, Business Week and Entrepreneur Magazine.
2009 © Kevin Kermes Inc.
SME Mastermind Call – Wendy Weiss: The Queen of Cold Calling – “How to Overcome the Fear of Calling a Hiring Manager…and What to Say When You Do!”
Our next Subject Matter Expert (SME) Mastermind Call is on Thursday, November 19th at 3:00pmEST:
“How to Overcome the Fear of Calling a Hiring Manager….
and What to Say When You Do!”
It is so easy to simply email potential employers, but does that really help you stand out in this crowded marketplace? And, you know what you should be doing – picking up the phone and calling them. But how do you do it when fear is the hurdle? Then, once you get past that, what do you say?
On this SME Mastermind call, Wendy Weiss will show you how to do just that. “The Queen of Cold Calling ™” has been training some of the largest sales organizations (Avon, ADP and Sprint to name a few) on how to create more effective cold calls and generate more results. This accomplished author, speaker, trainer and coach is taking those techniques and aiming them at the job search – just for my Mastermind members. Her goal: to show you how to get in the door, differentiate and get the interview. Wendy has been featured in The New York Times, Business Week and Entrepreneur Magazine.
This call is ONLY for Career Mastermind Group members. Not a member yet?
Join now to access this call (as well as the archived calls and training materials) with Kevin’s special FREE 1 month Membership trial.
How to Look for a Job without Saying So
A coaching client came to me with an opportunity that appeared to be wrapped in a problem. Christine was a financial services executive who had been downsized as a result of crashing markets. Her opportunity: to attend a tradeshow where the top companies for whom she would like to work would be attending. Her problem: As she put it, “Kevin, if I go around just handing out resumes I am going to feel like I have an enormous “L” on my forehead.” So, here is what we did.
First, there are more problems with attending an event like this with a ream of resumes in hand besides feeling like a loser. While mindset is of the utmost of importance, even if you felt good about handing out your paper the technique is littered with landmines in this instance. Primarily because the people working those booths at tradeshows aren’t initially motivated to help find you a job (but, as you will see, you can get them there). Frankly, they are probably just happy to still have their job (definitely the case in financial services). So the approach needs to be much more strategic.
We started by talking about the companies who would be there that she wanted to approach. This was pretty easy, since there was a list. Next, we determined which of the product lines or specialties in those companies suited her best (annuities, mutual funds, etc.). Then, we identified who the keynote speakers were at the tradeshow for each of these product types and what the focus of their presentation was going to be. Finally, armed with all this information, she researched some interesting articles that paralleled these topics – some agreeing, some disagreeing, some that were one-offs. With all this homework done, we then formulated a plan. One that involved networking this trade show without ever saying “Are you hiring?”
Knowing which companies she was interested in, Christine’s plan was to approach each using this technique:
Christine: Hi there – Christine X. You know, every time I see you guys in the press your Morningstar rating just keeps climbing.
Company Rep: Yeah, it’s been a tough year but our managers keep doing well in spite of it. I’m John by the way. Who are you with Christine?
Christine: I was with Citi, but was RIFed a few months back. I decided to come down here and check out what’s going on in the industry.
Company Rep: I see. (starting to retract…expecting the “are you hiring?”)
Christine: John, are you planning on going to the talk being put on by Dave Y about Mutual Funds?
Company Rep: (surprised he didn’t get hit up about hiring) I am going to try, but I am not sure if I have to man the booth or not. It looks pretty interesting.
Christine: It does. If you don’t get a chance to go, I’d be happy to share my notes. But I was also reading a recent article in Barrons by James Z about Mutual Fund Regulation. I’m not sure if Dave Y is going to get into that. He raised some great points. Did you read James Z’s article?
Company Rep: No, I didn’t but it sounds interesting.
Christine: It was. I’d be glad to email it to you. Here is my business card. Let’s trade and I will be sure to send it off once I get back home.
Company Rep: Great. I’d appreciate that.
Christine: Sure thing. I’ll let you get back to things. I know you are busy. It was great meeting you and I’ll get that article to you sometime next week.
Company Rep: Thanks.
Christine’s approach is all about networking. Establishing rapport and beginning to work through the cycle of “know, like, trust.” She will follow up with John via email and, if he is open to networking, begin seeing who he knows and how he can help her. After all, in the spirit of “give to get,” she has begun the process by sharing information with him that he found valuable.
What this also does is position her better to understand what John’s company needs and how she does (or doesn’t) fit into the picture. She more effectively navigate towards the best opportunities for her knowing where her skills fit and are needed versus giving some blanket “elevator pitch” that isn’t targeted towards the ideal job she is seeking.
Interested in learning more about Kevin’s One-on-One Coaching Program? Email us for more details.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.kevinkermes.com
How I Got the Job – Andy Krueger: Leveraging Interests Outside the Workplace
Stock interview advice says to focus on your career accomplishments in the interview and steer away from getting too “personal.” In today’s interview, Andy Krueger tells about how sharing his side business in an interview helped him get the job. Moreover, it was a total surprise because it opened a door that he didn’t even know was there.
Listen to what Andy had to say.
* * * * * * * * *
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.kevinkermes.com
2008 – 2009 (c) Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved